An accident of birth meant Gerry Baker ended up playing international football for America while his brother Joe played for England.

But Gerry’s career spent in the shadows of his brilliant brother meant he never received the accolades he merited.

The author of a new book, The Fabulous Baker Boys, which finally shines a light on two of Scotland's greatest football siblings, has told of his sadness after Gerry died before its publication.

The former St Mirren, Hibs and Manchester City striker passed away suddenly last month at the age of 75, six days after suffering a stroke.

Writer Tom Maxwell said: “I’m disappointed Gerry never got to see their story in proper book form because we’d had such great fun recalling all the good times he and Joe had.

“Gerry’s death was so sudden and unexpected. He was playing golf just a few days before he took ill.

“But I know he loved the book because I’d shown him the final draft a few weeks ago. He was delighted that their real-life story, growing up in Lanarkshire and their early years, was finally being told.

“Despite the fact Joe got the most media attention, Gerry was so very proud of his wee brother.

“There was no trace of sibling jealousy or rivalry and it was Gerry who actively encouraged his younger brother to take up football after they nearly lost Joe to TB when he was just three years old.

Joe, centre front row, with England team 1966 (Image: Getty Images)

“At Gerry’s funeral at St John Bosco’s church in Motherwell, the priest read out a story which Gerry had written about playing his first ever game of football for Park Street Primary school.

“Gerry had written about getting up that cold, frosty morning, saying his prayers for his wee brother, wishing only that he could take Joe with him to the game and knowing he was too sick to go.

“The story went on to tell how Gerry scored two goals in that first game and how his heart soared when the crowd cheered him, a sound he wanted to stay with him for the rest of his life.

“It was Gerry who walked up to Alf Ramsey and badgered him to take Joe on to the England team.

“And it was Gerry who nearly lamped one of his own St Mirren teammates who tackled Joe as they played Hibs in November 1958.

“Joe scaled the heights but Gerry’s contribution to American soccer is indisputable – he was a pioneer.

“When he lost Joe at the age of 63, Gerry told me it was if he had lost his twin and he missed him every single day. It was clear to me the fabulous Baker boys were more than just brothers.”

Joe was a legendary Hibs striker while Gerry was St Mirren’s most prolific scorer and the hero of the club’s 1959 Scottish Cup triumph.

But when it came to international honours, the brothers would have to make do with representing England and America instead of Scotland.

Tom said: “In their heyday, Joe and Gerry were among the best players of their generation. Gerry was a prolific scorer and Joe was flamboyant and quick, easily worth £50million in today’s football market.

“But because of the rules of the game at that time, neither could play for Scotland, the country they grew up in and loved to their dying days.

“Incredible as it may seem today when players with only a passing connection to Scotland are allowed to play for their country, Joe had to put on an England jersey while Gerry played for the US.

“Joe loved to tell how a taxi driver picking him up from Heathrow in 1959 called the police when Joe asked to be taken to the hotel where the England squad were staying.

“The driver refused to believe anyone with such a broad Scottish accent could possibly be England’s new centre-forward.”

Gerry, second left in front row, with US soccer team

The boys’ parents George and Lizzie had gone to the US to start a new life. They met in New Rochelle, upstate New York, where Gerry was born on April 11, 1938. He would go on to earn seven caps for the US.

With war breaking out in Europe, George returned to his hometown of Liverpool with his new family. Joe was born there on July 17, 1940.

Just a few weeks later, with merchant seaman George now away at war, Lizzie took the kids home to Motherwell, where the boys would grow up, boxing and playing football for Craigneuk Boys Club.

Tom said: “Ironically, at the age of 19, Joe was able to play for Scotland schoolboys because their rules weren’t so tight. He scored twice in the 2-2 match against England at Hampden in April 1960, playing against Bobby Charlton in front of a crowd of 130,000.

“Joe was the first player outwith the English Football League to play for England in 1959.

“Gerry was the first top-flight European footballer to represent the USA, which he did for the first time in 1968.”

Before he was 21, Joe scored 100 goals for Hibs and his form won him a move to Italian giants Torino in 1961, where he played alongside Denis Law.

While at Hibs, he played five games for England. Alf Ramsey brought him back for a further three games in 1963 and 1965, playing his last game in 1966 at the age of 25.

Tom said: “Joe was in Ramsey’s initial squad for the 1966 World Cup.” He died aged 63 in 2003 after a heart attack.

Gerry broke his leg twice as a child and was told he would never play football as one leg ended up an inch shorter.

But after six games at Larkhall Thistle, aged 15, he was snapped up by Chelsea.

Homesick, Gerry returned to Scotland in 1956 and played for Motherwell, St Mirren and later Hibs. The Baker boys scored a total of more than 500 goals.

Tom said: “They were two of the most fabulous players and are still legends.”

? The Fabulous Baker Boys by Tom Maxwell, published by Birlinn, is out tomorrow.